"Grawin Club in the Scrub"

Grawin was established in 1908 with the discovery of opal at Hammonds Hill, but it wasn't until the 1970's that it became a major field in its own right. It was at Grawin that the largest opal 'Light of the World' was found in 1928 .

Since the first discovery of opal in the region, people have come and gone in tides with each new strike seeking their fortune in search of Australia's national gem stone.

Grawin Opal Miners Sports & Recreation Club Limited - "Grawin Club in the Scrub" was started in the mid 1970's after a few of the miners and their families got together in protest after the pub up the road put their prices of beer up during a flood, (as they had to fly the beer in, but didn't lower the prices when the road cleared ).

The Club has been built by volunteer labour, the main material is cypress pine(as white ants don't like it). It wasn't until 17/01/1990 that the club became a registered club with a club liquor licence. Up until then, police would come out and do a raid a f ew times of the year. It is one of the few clubs left in NSW that has no form of gambling - i.e. no poker machines, keno or tab. The club survives from sales across the bar, donations of money and goods from members. As well we have dedicated volunteers who come assist with doing bar work and working bees .

We can boast that we have a member in every state and territory of Australia.

Also it's a great opportunity to buy Opal straight from the miner at field prices, is always possible. Just enquire at the Club in the Scrub bar.

We hope you visit the Club in the Scrub!

MY OWN BOSS

My Own Boss is an absolutely stunning booklet on the history and background of the Lightning Ridge migrant opal miners.

Published by the NSW Migration Heritage Centre in partnership with the Lightning Ridge Historical Society (next to the Crocodile Caravan Park) and written by the wonderful Barbara Moritz and Stephen Thompson.

This amazing read tells of the success and struggles of the opal miners starting back in the 1900's. It also describes how the opal mining idustry has come to evolve into what it is today.

It was a great peasure to read and is highly recommended to all who want to know more about Lightning Ridge and its history with opal mining, muticultural miners or just curious about how opal mining came to be. 10/10

Lightning Ridge is the only place in the world where the exquisite black opal is mined in quantity and sold in the rough. People have come from around the world to find their fortunes in this outback town.

Buy your souvenir booklet My Own Boss: Migrant Opal Miners At Lightning Ridge published by the NSW Migration Heritage Centre in partnership with the Lightning Ridge Historical Society and written by Barbara Moritz and Stephen Thompson.